A Letter from the editor

We have one of those smart scales in our household. Since your physical health involves so much more than just your weight, we thought our scale should display more than just that number.

Ours, while not the most elaborate one, tracks body mass index (BMI), a measure of body fat based on height and weight; body fat percentage; skeletal muscle; muscle mass; bone mass; and other health metrics. In addition to taking your measurements, the scale connects to our phones so we can track our trends.

I rarely – if ever – step on it.

I was the girl who’d waddle onto the scale during my two pregnancies and remind the kind-hearted nurse, “I don’t want to know how much I weigh.” So, no, my smart scale and I are not besties. I know roughly what I weigh based on how my clothes fit, and that’s typically good enough for me.

Recently, however, I went to the doctor for a routine check-up (one admittedly that should be yearly, yet somehow over a year went by). I stepped on the scale and was surprised – in a good way – by the number staring back me.

“You’ve lost quite a bit of weight since I last saw you,” said my doctor. “Has that been intentional?”

“Yes and no,” I replied. “I’ve been working out more consistently and really focusing on strength training.”

“Whatever you are doing, keep it up,” she smiled.

With my curiosity peaked, I stepped on the smart scale upon returning home. I was baffled not just by my weight, BMI and muscle mass, but also by my new categorization: Athlete Mode.

I’ve never been called an athlete in my life. Yet now I, a mother of two, have. Now I am.

Why do I tell you all this? Relying on motivation (to look good at your high school reunion, to fit into that Mother of the Bride dress, to lose 5 pounds before your vacation) only gets you so far. Consistency is far better than rare moments of greatness.

And, that goes for more than fitness, friends.

Sending you love and health, JessiCa

huMphrey-Cintineo